Gustave Flaubert 
Salammbo 

Salammbo is a classic work of French realist writer Flaubert of the 19th century. Its artistic integrity and beauty are almost impeccable. The author spent five years writing this historical novel which integrates background, characters and adventures full of passions and mysterious characteristics. It is as magnificent as an epic and as exquisite as an antique. Like archaeologists who excavate monuments, the author made investigations and textual research in details. He consulted more than 90 kinds of literatures about Carthage, wrote numerous notes, and conducted on-the-spot investigation for the Site of Carthage in North Africa. The novel depicts Carthage was defeat by Rome in the first Punic War and should bore huge indemnities. The ruling class was dissolute in conduct and squandered wantonly. As a result, the Treasury was empty and the wages owed to mercenaries cannot be paid. The mercenaries mutinied and surrounded Carthage under the leadership of a Libyan leader, Matho. Matho fell in love with Salammbo, daughter of Carthaginian general, Hamilcar. Under the guidance of Greek slave, Spendius, Matho sneaked into Carthage and stole the sacred veil of Carthage that Salammbo was responsible for guarding. Hamilcar returned to rescue Carthage but lost the first battle. Fortunately, Salammbo went into Matho”s camp and retrieved the sacred veil which reversed the situation. Hamilcar used tactics to surround the insurgents and broke down the insurgents and wiped them out completely by the method of disintegration and buying up traitors. Matho was captured and cruelly executed. After Salammbo”s eyes met those of Matoh, she fell to the ground and die as if stroke by a lightning. The work has been adapted into the movies twice, and has been adapted into opera and performed in various places.